July 7th is the Japanese star festival "Tanabata". The festival is based on romantic folklore that Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair) were lovers separated by the milky way crossing the sky. They are allowed to meet only once a year on July 7th, the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calender. In Tanabata, we display bamboo trees and hanging wishes written on small paper. In the Kanto area, Hiratsuka city has Tanabata festival, but the most famous one is held in Sendai from August 6th, not in July.
In Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Tower changes it lighting color for summer on July 7th too. In winter time, their light is a warm orange color, and in summer time these are changed into white mixed. Some said Tokyo Tower is the power spot. I can see the tower from my job while I am working. Actually I like it and I am glad to have such a job situation.
The tower is a sort of symbol of Tokyo, but only two hours on one night the tower turns its lights off. It's "Candle Night". Last two year, I wrote about this and now I feel summer has come when I pick this news. I will turn off the lights and maybe the PC too... (it's more difficult for PC addiction).
Solid alliance's new product is nice for a hot summer. It's a USB refridgeater. You can keep your canned drink cold with your PC. This sounds good. I like this cute heart mouse too, the round shape is very lovely.
Youtube started foreign language pages, and this is the Japanese page. I am not sure, but on the Japanese page, can we see only movies from Japan? I hope not, but the videos on the front page are different. I can find funny videos accidentally; that is the good part of Youtube. Today I found this movie, "how to make Anpanman Sushi Roll" (Who is Anpanman?) I think I can make this.
I go to the Hiratsuka festival every year. lots of fun!
Posted by: Roaf | Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 08:08 PM
Wow! Brings back fond memories of my 2-year stay in Japan. I like the dedication that the Japanese put into celebrating their festivals. One is always assured of fun, excitement, anticipation, and in the case of the Tanabata, a romantic interlude. Yokatta ne! So sad that i'll be missing it again this year.
Posted by: suzie | Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 05:06 PM
Hi Stuz, thank you. Please look up the sky on July 7th. Romantice Star festival :-)
Posted by: Mari | Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 10:55 AM
So cool you mention Tanabata. Could make (hope) for a romantic day... (*^^*)
..but what should you make/bring of food (or nibblets?). Do you have any nice suggestions?
Posted by: stuz | Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 06:04 AM